A Day of Infamy — Dec. 7, 1941

December 6, 2013 10:19 PM

A small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The mast of the USS Tennessee is beyond the burning West Virginia. less

A small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper ... more

Photo: AP Photo

A small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water... Photo-5565127.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Nevada beached at Hospital Point at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December 1941.

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Nevada beached at Hospital Point at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December 1941.

Photo: Anonymous, AP Photo

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Nevada beached at... Photo-5565128.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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Black smoke rises from the burning wrecks of several U.S. Navy battleships after they had been bombed during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Black smoke rises from the burning wrecks of several U.S. Navy battleships after they had been bombed during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Photo: AP Photo

Black smoke rises from the burning wrecks of several U.S. Navy... Photo-5565123.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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Heavy black smoke billows as oil fuel burns from shattered tanks on ships that were hit during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Visible through the murk is the U.S. battleship Maryland, center, and the hulk of the capsized USS Oklahoma to the right of it. less

Heavy black smoke billows as oil fuel burns from shattered tanks on ships that were hit during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 during World War II. Visible through the murk is the ... more

The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. The ship sank with more than 80 percent of its 1,500-man crew, including Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd . The attack, which left 2,343 Americans dead and 916 missing, broke the backbone of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and forced America out of a policy of isolationism. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that it was "a date which will live in infamy" and Congress declared war on Japan the morning after. This was the first attack on American territory since 1812. less

The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. The ship sank with more than 80 percent of its 1,500-man crew, ... more

Photo: Anonymous, AP Photo

The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into... Photo-5565119.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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The battleship USS West Virginia is seen afire after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

The battleship USS West Virginia is seen afire after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Photo: AP Photo

The battleship USS West Virginia is seen afire after the Japanese... Photo-5565124.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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Sailors stand among wrecked airplanes at Ford Island Naval Air Station as they watch the explosion of the USS Shaw in the background, during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. less

Sailors stand among wrecked airplanes at Ford Island Naval Air Station as they watch the explosion of the USS Shaw in the background, during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, ... more

This photograph, from a Japanese film later captured by American forces, is taken aboard the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku, just as a Nakajima "Kate" B-5N bomber is launching off deck for the second wave of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. less

This photograph, from a Japanese film later captured by American forces, is taken aboard the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku, just as a Nakajima "Kate" B-5N bomber is launching off deck for the second wave of ... more

Photo: AP Photo

This photograph, from a Japanese film later captured by American... Photo-5565120.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Photo: AP Photo

The destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the... Photo-5565122.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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Rescue workers help evacuate the Lunalilo High School in Honolulu after the roof of the main building was hit by a bomb during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo.

Rescue workers help evacuate the Lunalilo High School in Honolulu after the roof of the main building was hit by a bomb during the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo.

Photo: AP Photo

Rescue workers help evacuate the Lunalilo High School in Honolulu... Photo-5565117.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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A Japanese dive bomber goes into its last dive as it heads toward the ground in flames after it was hit by Naval anti-aircraft fire during surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

A Japanese dive bomber goes into its last dive as it heads toward the ground in flames after it was hit by Naval anti-aircraft fire during surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

Photo: AP Photo

A Japanese dive bomber goes into its last dive as it heads toward... Photo-5565118.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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Believed to be the first bomb dropped on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in the sneak-attack on Dec. 7, 1941, this picture was found torn to pieces at Yokusuka Base by photographer's mate 2/C Martin J. Shemanski of Plymouth, Pa. One Japanese plane is shown pulling out of a dive near bomb eruption (center) and another the air at upper right. less

Believed to be the first bomb dropped on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in the sneak-attack on Dec. 7, 1941, this picture was found torn to pieces at Yokusuka Base by photographer's mate 2/C Martin J. Shemanski of ... more

Photo: AP Photo

Believed to be the first bomb dropped on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in... Photo-5565113.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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Unidentified attaches of the Japanese consulate began burning papers, ledgers and other records shortly after Japan went to war against the U.S., Dec. 7, 1941, in New Orleans. Police later stopped the fire after most of the papers had been destroyed. less

Unidentified attaches of the Japanese consulate began burning papers, ledgers and other records shortly after Japan went to war against the U.S., Dec. 7, 1941, in New Orleans. Police later stopped the fire ... more

Photo: Horace Cort, AP Photo

Unidentified attaches of the Japanese consulate began burning... Photo-5565114.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

A Japanese plane, braving American anti-aircraft fire, proceeds... Photo-5565109.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, giant hangar at the U.S. Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor is fringed in flames caused by Japanese bombs which wrecked the installation, Dec. 7, 1941. Planes on aprons and runways were burned and shattered. Wreckage of some may be seen in foreground. less

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, giant hangar at the U.S. Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor is fringed in flames caused by Japanese bombs which wrecked the installation, Dec. 7, 1941. Planes on aprons ... more

Photo: Anonymous, AP Photo

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, giant hangar at the U.S.... Photo-5565110.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, hanger No. 6 and the warm-up apron of the air station landing strip on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii shown during the attack, Dec. 7, 1941.

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, hanger No. 6 and the warm-up apron of the air station landing strip on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii shown during the attack, Dec. 7, 1941.

Photo: Anonymous, AP Photo

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, hanger No. 6 and the... Photo-5565111.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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FILE - In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, the destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Wednesday marks the 70th anniversary of the attack that brought the United States into World War II. (AP File Photo) less

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, the destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Wednesday marks the 70th anniversary of the attack ... more

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, a pall of smoke filled the sky over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, after the Japanese attacked. In the foreground is the capsized minelayer, the USS Oglala, and to the left appears the moored USS Helena, 10,000-ton cruiser, struck by a bomb. Beyond the superstructure of the USS Pennsylvania, and at the right is the USS Maryland, burning. At right center the destroyer Shaw is ablaze in drydock. less

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, a pall of smoke filled the sky over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, after the Japanese attacked. In the foreground is the capsized minelayer, the USS Oglala, and ... more

Photo: Anonymous, AP Photo

In this image provided by the U.S. Navy, a pall of smoke filled the... Photo-5565106.75616 - San Antonio Express-News

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An unidentified officers' wife, investigating explosion and seeing smoke pall in distance at 8:15 am Dec. 7, 1941, heard neighbor Mary Naiden, then an army hostess, exclaim �There are red circles on those planes overhead. They are Japanese!" A boy and a woman carrying a dog flee toward quarters. less

An unidentified officers' wife, investigating explosion and seeing smoke pall in distance at 8:15 am Dec. 7, 1941, heard neighbor Mary Naiden, then an army hostess, exclaim �There are red circles on those ... more